General Motors South Africa’s (GMSA) Parts Distribution Centre (PDC), situated in the Coega Industrial Development Zone near Port Elizabeth, has recently been declared landfill free.

The 37 000 square metre world class warehouse is the first of GM’s global facilities to be recognised with this achievement this year and is the company’s 43rd non-manufacturing site to become landfill free. The warehouse accommodates about 144 000 part numbers and dispatches parts and accessories to 113 dealers and 21 parts wholesalers across Southern Africa as well as 34 dealers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Ncedisa Mzuzu, Environmental Group Manager, Africa, the waste generated at the PDC mainly consists of paper and plastic packaging, metals, non-toxic fluids, wood and cardboard. By the end of May, the warehouse has managed to recycle 99.42% with just over half percent sent to an energy recovery facility.

“GMSA’s environmental management system is certified to the ISO 14001:2004 standard. The environment is one of the company’s key business imperatives and we have made significant efforts in recent years to mitigate the impact of the business on the environment. The aim is to have all four sites in Port Elizabeth landfill free by 2020,” said Mzuzu.

The Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre in Markman Township, from where vehicles are distributed to dealers, is currently undergoing validation while this process at the manufacturing facilities at Struandale and Kempston Road is set start this month. “By the end of last year the average recycling ratio for all four facilities was 85.22%,” said Mzuzu.

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About Alan Straton: Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."